Gas Prices: How Much Are YOU Paying At The Pump In Taxes? (Infographic)

Today, however, the U.S. government has decided to release a portion of its strategic petroleum reserve, just as crude-oil prices continued a decline that started several weeks ago.

Gas prices vary enormously from state to state, due to geography--it costs a lot to get liquid fuel to Alaska and Hawaii--specialized blends in some states, and the evil T-word that's such a hot button in national and local politics these days.

That would be TAXES.

The nifty little tool below will let you see how much of the price per gallon you pay in your state is made up of state taxes--either on gasoline or on diesel fuel.

We should point out, by the way, that those tax revenues largely go toward maintaining roads, bridges, and the like.

Would the ugliness and vitriol around the word "tax" be more palatable if the state's share of each gallon was deemed a "fee for service"?

In any case, use the tool and see how your state matches its neighbors in gasoline taxes.